Creative economy fund to support tourism investment and job creation

The government wants Cox’s Bazar, Jashore, Rajshahi and Saidpur airports to emerge as international gateways

The BNP government has positioned tourism as part of Bangladesh’s emerging creative economy, opening the door for tourism entrepreneurs to access funding from a newly proposed development fund.

Presenting the FY2026-27 budget on Thursday, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury highlighted the creative economy as a key driver of employment generation and proposed an initial allocation of Tk 3 billion for the sector.

Tourism projects will be eligible to seek financing from the fund.

He also proposed mobilising an additional Tk 5 billion from Bangladesh Bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) resources to support creative economy initiatives.

Alongside the funding proposals, the minister outlined a series of projects aimed at developing the aviation and tourism sectors as part of a broader strategy to boost connectivity, investment and employment.

Khosru proposed a Tk 9.38 trillion budget for FY2026-27.

He said, “Integrated development activities are being implemented in the civil aviation sector with the goal of transforming Bangladesh into a regional aviation hub and expanding international connectivity and trade.”

Aviation

• Initiative to develop Bangladesh into one of South and Southeast Asia’s leading aviation hubs by 2034

• Establishment of a national air connectivity grid

• Upgrading Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet international airports into full-scale logistics and passenger hubs

• Developing Cox’s Bazar, Jashore, Rajshahi and Saidpur airports as international gateways

• Preparations under way to launch the third terminal at Shahjalal International Airport

• Expansion of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ international network alongside modernisation of passenger services and cargo management

Tourism

“We are placing special emphasis on promoting ecotourism through the development of the tourism sector,” the finance minister said.

The government plans to:

• Establish a specialised international-standard training institute for tourism professionals

• Introduce international hospitality benchmarks for culinary arts and other tourism-related trades

• Arrange internationally recognised certification for tourism trainees through globally reputed organisations

• Finalise a comprehensive Tourism Master Plan incorporating the sector’s potential, diversity and modern creative themes

• Launch a national brand, “Created in Bangladesh”, to showcase the country’s creative potential at international festivals and marketplaces

• Expand support for theatre and cultural heritage

• Build internationally standard studios to support film development and participation in OTT platforms

• Raise tourism’s contribution to GDP to 6-7 percent

• Prepare an investment roadmap to attract visitors and generate large-scale employment as part of a broader tourism development strategy